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Jo Hofmann

@birdcmp.bsky.social
293 followers 418 following 1.4K posts

Birder, woodworker, recovering servant of public health, exFed, ID doc

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Reposted by Jo Hofmann
Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The press coverage of the Academy of Natural Sciences has gone from "Oh how sad" to sounding like a hostage negotiation. Which maybe sounds bad, but elected leaders, the press, the people online, all saying "You don't have to do this, man" is better than mourning. share.inquirer.com/YTQg0s
share.inquirer.com
Philadelphia shouldn’t give up on the Academy of Natural Sciences’ historic museum | Editorial
The Academy's 150-year-old building faces roughly $150 million in deferred maintenance costs. While that may seem daunting, it is not insurmountable.
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Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
If anyone knows any leaders of Drexel Student groups, please have them contact me as soon as possible.
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Jo Hofmann @birdcmp.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Wut?
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Reposted by Jo Hofmann
Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
A good read on the the state of the academy as it stands today. We're in a pivotal moment right now. The academy board must accept the bridge funding or find another way to keep the museum open immediately. neighborhoodfundamentals.substack.com/p/the-academ...
neighborhoodfundamentals.substack.com
The Academy Has an Offer. Does It Have the Authority to Take It?
A year of funding is on the table. What's unresolved is who actually gets to decide.
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Jo Hofmann @birdcmp.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Gee that’s helpful. “We’re seeing a movement away from clinical guidance, data, & working w/ states,” - Dr. Debra Houry, CDC’s chief medical officer who resigned in August 2025 ‘Zombified’ C.D.C., Hobbled by Cuts, Struggles to Fulfill Scientific Mission www.nytimes.com/2026/09/26/h...
nytimes.com
‘Zombified’ C.D.C., Hobbled by Cuts, Struggles to Fulfill Scientific Mission (Gift Article)
The agency has lost its independence and nearly a third of its staff, as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and associates have tightened control.
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Reposted by Jo Hofmann
Western University @westernu.ca · 25/09/2026
Literary icon Margaret Atwood has gifted $1M to #WesternU, honouring her longtime partner Graeme Gibson, BA'58, to establish the Graeme Gibson Chair in Avian Biology - advancing research on how birds move, behave and adapt in a changing world. #AllinWesternU news.westernu.ca/2026/09/grae...
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Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
STAT: I worked on the CDC investigation of the anthrax letters. 25 years later, are we ready for the next biothreat? By Daniel Jernigan @statnews.com bit.ly/4z58oCp
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Reposted by Jo Hofmann
Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Murray, Baldwin Lead Colleagues in Demanding Vought Abandon Any and All Plans to Exert Political Control Over NIH Funding bit.ly/3TTU0h 💥 @baldwin.senate.gov @murray.senate.gov
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Jo Hofmann @birdcmp.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Hey Florida - just in time for your dengue outbreak.
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Reposted by Jo Hofmann
Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
If you care about keeping the Academy of Natural Sciences open to the public in Philadelphia, I need you to read and share this thread. Trish Wellenbach was sent from the mayor's office to oversee the Academy of Natural sciences situation. She needs to hear from us. Here comes the action item:
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JoJoFromJerz @jojofromjerz.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
It really does look like the poster for a horror movie, doesn’t it?
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Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Attention Philly Families! It is critical that we show Drexel and city government that our enthusiasm for the Academy of Natural Sciences is going strong! Bring your kids, friends, & neighbors down to the parkway on Saturday from 2-6pm. It's a kid-friendly rally to support the academy!
dinosaurs and bugs happily party together at the Save the Academy family rally. Saturday September 26, 2-6pm 1900 ben Franklin parkway, come dressed as your favorite dinosaur, insect, animal, or just yourself! There's a duck billed dino, a triceratops, a brachiosaurus, a pterodactyl, a millipede, dragonfly, and beetle!
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
"White House Moves to Take Control of N.I.H. Grants" [everybody up in arms, as they should be, but for those who have been paying close attention, this has pretty much already happened - the realization just hasn't sunk in yet] www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/s...
nytimes.com
White House Moves to Take Control of N.I.H. Grants (Gift Article)
Federal officials are drafting an executive order that would place grants under review by an outside panel, the latest effort to redirect billions of dollars in research spending.
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Max Kennerly @maxkennerly.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
If you're a Dem who thinks you'll gain something by going anti-trans, look at Gallup's "most important problem" and Fox News' "most important issue" polling and see where trans issues rank. Whoever told you going anti-trans is a savvy or necessary move spends too much time on X and should be fired.
Gallup polling. "LGBTQ rights" moves between 0 and 1%.Fox news polling. Wokeness/transgender issues at 0%.
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Jo Hofmann @birdcmp.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Kinda like us.
Photo of a fat green, white, yellow & black Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar in a pot of decimated parsley that has been reduced to yellowing stalks. 
Un
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Jo Hofmann @birdcmp.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
This is what we have to look forward to.
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Reposted by Jo Hofmann
the corgi from cowboy bebop @realqrampage.fightins.online · 20/09/2026
there’s also more you can do to save the Academy! you can write to your reps, put the pressure on Drexel’s president, and volunteer to educate others in Philly
save-the-academy.org
Save the Academy of Natural Sciences
Don't mourn — organize. The museum's last public day is Sunday, Sept 27. Ten things you can do today.
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Jenna Norton @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
$9.5 Billion. That’s how much Trump paid Feds not to work. My >5 months on paid admin leave is barely a blip in the grand total. But I did see the waste first hand. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/u...
nytimes.com
Federal Employees Were Paid $9.5 Billion Not to Work in 2025 Under DOGE Effort (Gift Article)
As part of the Department of Government Efficiency’s program to shrink the federal work force, paid administrative leave costs rose by 435 percent.
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Jo Hofmann @birdcmp.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I love that the sub-headline actually calls it the “health department.” Eugenics, anyone? Covid Vaccines Delayed for Half of U.S. Children www.nytimes.com/2026/09/16/w...
nytimes.com
Covid Vaccines Delayed for Half of U.S. Children (Gift Article)
The Health Department has not decided whether to provide the shots to states through the Vaccines for Children program, which serves uninsured and low-income families.
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geoffrey @parsnip.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
i had to look this up and what do you MEAN it's true
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Jo Hofmann @birdcmp.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Will CDC count this one? Wut century is this?
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Abdul El-Sayed @abdulelsayed.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
We're being told that if we sacrifice the rights of some people, then the rest of us get to keep our rights. We all know that's some BS.
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Rachel Dempsey @racheldempsey.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I fucking hate this patronizing bigoted bitch.
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Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
A duty to act Emily Sickbert-Bennett   et al now in 12 journals bit.ly/4r9r1Cp
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Jenna Norton @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Unlawfully stealing from our future health to fund a war that never should have happened. democrats-appropriations.house.gov/news/press-r...
democrats-appropriations.house.gov
Defense Officials Attempt to Raid NIH Funds to Cover Department of Defense Activities
House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) has learned that officials at the Department of Defense (DoD) are working to divert billions of dollars from the National Institute...
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The Verge @theverge.com · 02/09/2026
As a new Harry Potter trailer makes the rounds, it bears repeating that there’s no way to watch this show without supporting J.K. Rowling’s bigotry and the structural violence she’s inflicting on the trans community.
theverge.com
There is no ethical consumption of HBO’s Harry Potter series
You can’t without supporting Rowling’s transphobic bigotry.
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Deb Houry @drdebhoury.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Discussed on @cnn.com @erinburnett.bsky.social the tragic deaths in PA and the need for political leaders to focus on responding to the measles outbreak with data, science, and compassion vs contributing to misinformation and confusion. www.cnn.com/2026/09/01/h...
cnn.com
Trump’s new CDC Director excludes PA deaths from measles update | CNN
The CDC director reportedly ordered staff to omit two measles deaths from Pennsylvania’s official count, triggering a massive public health feud. HHS Secretary RFK Jr. accused Gov. Josh Shapiro’s staf...
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Reposted by Jo Hofmann
McSweeney's @mcsweeneys.net · 02/09/2026
"I see that pumpkin spice lattes are back. Opinion pieces and articles about the drink are everywhere. Also, the demon Dagon has invaded my dreams to give me a gentle reminder that even though it's still summer, it's time for me to prove my allegiance by drinking one." buff.ly/MwZk4NK
mcsweeneys.net
I’ll Drink this Pumpkin Spice Latte Before Labor Day, But Only Because Demons Are Making Me
“One day you’ll be dead and gone, and there will be no more pumpkin spice lattes. Just have one now.” 8/30/23 8/22/24 8/2/26
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Jo Hofmann @birdcmp.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Somebody’s gotta do the work. Medical Groups Issue Guidance on Covid, Flu and R.S.V. Shots www.nytimes.com/2026/09/02/w...
nytimes.com
A Guide to Covid, Flu and R.S.V. Vaccines This Fall (Gift Article)
Leading health organizations joined forces to issue the recommendations, citing a lack of strong guidance from the federal government.
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Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH @mtosterholm.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
This year’s review confirms that the newest evidence remains consistent with research showing these immunizations reduce the risk of hospitalization and death among the people most likely to experience serious disease. More on VIP's evidence review: bit.ly/4x0nIhW
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Ryan Marino, MD @ryanmarino.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
The people who fixate on some, often imaginary if not wholly confabulated, distinction between a child dying “with” measles vs “from” measles are people who don’t care that a child died while suffering unnecessarily from an entirely preventable disease. In addition to still being ignorant and wrong.
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Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Inside Medicine: CDC Director fails first test of independence from RFK Jr. by Jeremy Faust @jeremyfaust.bsky.social bit.ly/4gHjZzL
bit.ly
CDC Director fails first test of independence from RFK Jr.
Her promise to “speak truth to power” seems to have left the building. But it’s even worse.
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Jo Hofmann @birdcmp.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
She needs to go. With everybody else in this administration. C.D.C. Director Challenges Pennsylvania’s Report of Two Measles Deaths www.nytimes.com/2026/08/31/h...
nytimes.com
C.D.C. Director Challenges Pennsylvania’s Report of Two Measles Deaths (Gift Article)
Questioning a state’s investigation is highly unusual for the public health agency, but reflects tensions between the Trump administration and many states over health issues.
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Reposted by Jo Hofmann
Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
RFK Jr. ordering the CDC to remove the two measles deaths from Pennsylvania is misconduct. If the protocol for reporting infectious disease cases and deaths is that the CDC uses the state health department determination, then RFK Jr. has just changed that protocol without rationale or explanation.
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NIH Vigils @nihvigils.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
“When asked how a laughing face synthesized contradictory feedback, Bhattacharya said ‘that’s exactly what it’s doing.’” 😂😭 [satire] inpreparation.substack.com/p/nih-simpli...
inpreparation.substack.com
NIH Simplifies Grant Scoring To 👍 🤷‍♂️ 😂
BETHESDA, MD—The National Institutes of Health announced Tuesday that it would replace its 50-year-old numerical scoring system with a streamlined three-emoji format, in which grant applications will ...
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Jo Hofmann @birdcmp.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
You have to be a skilled liar and sycophant to be confirmed by this administration.
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Jo Hofmann @birdcmp.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
A child stillborn as a result of a pregnancy complicated by measles: this is the type of death that RFKj thinks is perfectly acceptable. www.theatlantic.com/health/2026/...
theatlantic.com
The Measles-Stricken Mother Who Lost Her Newborn Son
The family at the center of Pennsylvania’s measles controversy tells their story.
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Reposted by Jo Hofmann
Dorit Reiss @doritreiss.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
What We Know About Pennsylvania’s Two ‘Measles-Associated’ Deaths: a good, thorough review of the information available by @jjmcdona.bsky.social @factcheck.org www.factcheck.org/2026/08/what...
factcheck.org
What We Know About Pennsylvania’s Two ‘Measles-Associated’ Deaths - FactCheck.org
After the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced two cases of measles-related deaths in one county, the local coroner appeared to contradict the account. And in an ongoing spat with Pennsylvania ...
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Artologica aka Michele Banks @artologica.net · 25/04/2026
Clinging tenaciously to not knowing who Hasan Piker is
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Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Alright everybody, time to text the teachers in your life. The fall semester is open at SkypeAScientist and we are ready to match classrooms, scout troops, library groups, and more with scientists! Tell the educators in your life, and send them to SkypeAScientist.com
A frog uses its comically long tongue to catch a fleeing fly and the words say “send this to a teacher” pointing right. Then under the tongue it says “Skype a scientist matches classrooms with scientists for free Q&As” and there’s a little pond scene with lily pads and spatterdock flowers and a rock with a snail on it and a salamander with the words get a match at Skype scientist.com
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Jo Hofmann @birdcmp.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
I have waited my whole life for this.
The poster for the movie Coyote vs. ACME. A desert vista with a setting sun. On the right, there is a huge  wrecking ball on a chain at its apex, about to descend
on a tiny silhoullete of Coyote running away at full speed on the left, looking back @ the descending ball, which is emblazoned w/: Coyote vs ACME.
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elizabethginexi.bsky.social @elizabethginexi.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
OMB rule in the news: New Trump-led proposals to change how federal grants are decided could spell trouble for blue cities and states, The Indicator reports. www.npr.org/2026/08/28/n...
npr.org
Trump administration proposal would allow federal grants to be terminated on a whim
New Trump-led proposals to change how federal grants are decided could spell trouble for blue cities and states, The Indicator reports.
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Alt CDC (they/them) @altcdc.altgov.info · 28/08/2026
Hey guys! look! Caroline DingleBerry made her first post as CDC’s new Acting Director of Comms. She and her lackeys totally didn’t hijack CDC’s X channel to post some political, sycophant bullshit…
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Alt CDC (they/them) @altcdc.altgov.info · 27/08/2026
Measles outbreaks continue across the US. Make sure you and your children are up to date with measles vaccine. Babies living in or going to outbreak areas can receive dose 1 as early as 6 mo www.cdc.gov/measles/down... www.cdc.gov/measles/data...
Bar chart titled "Yearly measles cases" showing reported annual measles cases from 2000 through July 30, 2026. The chart includes tabs for "2000–Present" (selected) and "1985–Present." The y-axis ranges from 0 to 2,500 measles cases, and the x-axis shows years from 2000 to 2026. Most years from 2000 through 2024 have fewer than 500 reported cases, with notable increases in 2014 (about 670 cases) and 2019 (about 1,275 cases). Cases rise sharply in 2025 (2,289 cases) and remain high in 2026 (2,371 cases as of July 30), making 2026 the highest year shown.
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Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
You ready to make Philadelphia a more biodiverse city?? Join us for volunteer nights of prepping packets of native plant seeds for free distribution across the city! Together we can make Philadelphia a better place to be a bird or bug 🪲 RSVP at Lu.ma/dgs (that stands for do good shit).
A pigeon holds a plant in his little beak and struts down the street with seeds falling from the plant. The words say "Native Plant Prep Party Sulimay's October 5 & 19 Nov 2 & 16
6:30-9pm 632 E Girard Ave Philadelphia, PA
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Riki Wilchins @rikiwilchins.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Coming up next, Trump is signing an executive order renaming Canada Melaniastan.
theguardian.com
Trump signs order to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America amid Canada trade war – US politics live
President hits out at Canada as he makes latest attempt to rename a landmark
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Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
The proper and ONLY response to measles deaths by federal representatives of health-related agencies: “It is a tragedy to lose even a single person to a vaccine-preventable disease in the US. We have allocated $500 million in emergency federal funds for a comprehensive vaccination program”.
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Jo Hofmann @birdcmp.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
OMFG. My tax dollars paying for this unscientific right wing bullshit. Makes me want to kill somebody.
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Acid Rain @bearysweet.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
This is the famous Venezuelan Poodle Moth (Artace sp.), a distinctively fluffy, white insect w/ prominent bulbous dark eyes and feathery antennae. First photographed in 2009 by Arthur Anker in the Gran Sabana region of Venezuela. Its exact taxonomic classification remains debated by entomologists.
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